Peace candidate at war with his past

Roger Kittelson wants to win a seat in the U.S. Congress so he can help bring peace to the Middle East.

If only the guy could do the same a little closer to home.

In 2004, Kittelson — one of two Democrats hoping to challenge veteran U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R-Fond
du Lac) — was hit with a restraining order by a Dodge County
court. That same year, he also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge
of damaging another’s property. He was forced to pay a nearly $500 fine.

Kittelson, 51, explained that both incidents were tied to his bitter 2002 divorce.

For the past six years, he and his wife have battled in family
court. He said the two are headed there again soon in another dispute
over child support.

Kittelson claims he simply “tapped” his ex-wife’s apartment door
with his foot, leading to his arrest and misdemeanor conviction. He
said the main reason the court imposed the restraining order was that
he didn’t have a lawyer at the hearing.

“I have never touched my ex-wife,” said Kittelson, a dairy marketing specialist.

More than anything else, though, he objected to the questions about his court record.

“Is this more important,” Kittelson asked, “than bringing the troops home from Iraq?”

There you have it: A candidate intent on bringing about peace — even if it means kicking down a few doors.